Dividend Reinvestment Plan Rules

Transcription

1 Dividend Reinvestment Plan Rules 1. Definitions In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) (b) (c) (d) ASX means ASX Limited (ACN ) or the market operated by it as the context requires. Board means the board of directors of DuluxGroup. Business Day is as defined in the ASX Listing Rules. DRP means the DuluxGroup Dividend Reinvestment Plan as varied from time to time. (e) DuluxGroup means DuluxGroup Limited. (f) (g) (h) (i) (j) (k) Price means the price at which Shares will be issued or transferred under the DRP as calculated in accordance with clause 5. Participant means a Shareholder whose application to participate in the DRP in respect of a particular shareholding has been accepted by the Board. Record Date is as defined in the ASX Listing Rules. Rules means these DRP rules as varied from time to time. Shares means fully paid ordinary shares in the capital of DuluxGroup. Shareholder means a registered holder of Shares. 2. Participation in the DRP 2.1 Participation in the DRP is subject to these Rules. 2.2 Participation is optional, non-transferable, and open to each Shareholder unless excluded under these Rules. 2.3 Any Shareholder having a registered address or being resident in a country other than Australia and New Zealand may not be eligible to participate in the DRP because of the legal requirements applying in such country. The Board has the discretion to determine whether any such Shareholder is excluded from the DRP. 2.4 The Board has the discretion to refuse to accept a Shareholder s participation in the DRP and to suspend or withdraw a Shareholder s participation in the DRP. In making this determination, the Board may consider whether participation of a Shareholder might lead to foreign persons or associates of foreign persons acquiring a significant interest or an aggregate significant interest in DuluxGroup for the purposes of any foreign investment legislation or whether a Shareholder is a person whose participation, or to whom the Dividend Reinvestment Plan Rules 1

2 making of an offer or invitation to participate, in the DRP would, in the opinion of the Board, be unlawful, impractical, impossible, would require the issue of a prospectus or other offer document, would have an adverse effect on the regulatory approvals or licences which DuluxGroup holds or for which it intends to apply, or prejudice the effective operation of the DRP. 3. Application to participate Application to participate in the DRP must be made by submitting the prescribed form ( Notice of Election ) to DuluxGroup s Share Registrar in accordance with clause Degree of participation 4.1 Participation may be either full or partial. 4.2 Under full participation, all Shares registered in the Participant s name from time to time, including Shares issued pursuant to the DRP, will participate in the DRP. 4.3 Under partial participation, only that number of Shares specified in the Notice of Election by the Shareholder will participate in the DRP. However, if at the relevant Record Date the number of Shares held by the Participant is less than the number of Shares specified as participating in the DRP, then the DRP in respect of that dividend payment will apply to the lesser number of Shares. Where a Shareholder is a partial Participant, all Shares subsequently acquired by the Shareholder, whether under the DRP or otherwise, will only participate in the DRP to the extent that the Shareholder alters their participation level in accordance with clause If a Notice of Election does not, in the opinion of DuluxGroup, clearly indicate the level of participation in the DRP, it will be deemed to be an application for full participation. 4.5 A Notice of Election must be lodged for each shareholding account which a Shareholder wishes to participate in the DRP, and each shareholding account of a Shareholder will be treated separately for all purposes under the DRP. 5. Operation of the DRP 5.1 Each dividend which is payable to a Participant in respect of Shares subject to the DRP and which is available for payment to the Participant will be applied by DuluxGroup on the Participant s behalf in acquiring or subscribing for additional Shares. 5.2 The Board in their complete discretion will determine with respect to the operation of the DRP for any dividend whether to issue new Shares or to cause the transfer of Shares to a Participant, or to apply a combination of both options, to satisfy the obligations of DuluxGroup under these Rules. The Board may also in its discretion arrange for the DRP to be fully or partially underwritten in respect of any dividend. Dividend Reinvestment Plan Rules 2

3 5.3 If the Board determines to cause the transfer of Shares to Participants, the Shares may be acquired in the market in such manner as the Board considers appropriate. 5.4 DuluxGroup will establish and maintain a DRP account for each Participant. DuluxGroup will in respect of each dividend payable to a Participant: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) determine the amount of the dividend payable (less withholding tax if applicable) in respect of that Participant s Shares subject to the DRP; credit the amount to the Participant s DRP account; determine the maximum whole number of additional shares which may be acquired under the DRP at the Price using the amount (including any retained cash balance) in the Participant s DRP account and rounding that number down to the nearest whole number; on behalf and in the name of the Participant, allot or cause the transfer of the number of additional Shares calculated under clause 5.4(c) and debit the Participant s DRP account with the total of the subscription price or the acquisition amount (as the case may be) for the additional Shares; and retain in the Participant s DRP account, without interest, any cash balance remaining (rounded down to the nearest cent) after the application of clause 5.4(d). 5.5 The Shares will be transferred or allotted under the DRP at the Price which will be the arithmetic average of the daily volume weighted average market price (rounded to the nearest cent) of all Shares sold through a Normal Trade on the ASX automated trading system during a period of not more than 15 trading days, as determined by the Board from time to time, commencing two trading days after the Record Date in respect of the relevant dividend, less a discount (if any) determined by the Board from time to time. 5.6 Normal Trade means all trades excluding trades defined in the ASX Market Rules as Special Crossings, crossings prior to the commencement of normal trading or during the closing phase or after hours adjustment phase, any overseas trades, trades pursuant to the exercise of options over Shares, overnight crossings and any other trade determined by the Board in its complete discretion to not be reflective of normal trading in Shares. 5.7 The weighted average market price referred to above will be calculated by the Board or another suitable person nominated by the Board, by reference to information the Board approves for the purpose from time to time. The determination by the Board or some other person nominated by the Board of the price will be binding on all Participants. Dividend Reinvestment Plan Rules 3

4 6. Issue or transfer of Shares under the DRP 6.1 Shares issued under the DRP will be issued in accordance with the ASX Listing Rules and, from the date of issue, will rank equally in all respects with existing Shares. 6.2 Shares issued or transferred under the DRP will be issued or transferred on, or as soon as practicable after the relevant dividend payment date, but no later than 10 Business Days after the relevant dividend payment date, and will be registered on the register where the Participant s holding of Shares is currently registered. If the Participant holds Shares on more than one register (one of which being the Victorian register), the Shares issued or transferred under the DRP will be registered on the Victorian register unless and until the Participant requests otherwise. 7. Costs to Participants No brokerage, commission, or other transaction costs will be payable by Participants in respect of Shares transferred or issued under the DRP. However, DuluxGroup does not assume liability for any taxes or other imposts assessed against or imposed on a Participant. 8. DRP statements On, or as soon as practicable after, each dividend payment date, DuluxGroup will forward to each Participant a statement detailing: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) the number of the Participant s Shares subject to the DRP as at the relevant Record Date; the amount of dividend payable to the Participant (less withholding tax if applicable) in respect of the Shares subject to the DRP; the amount in the Participant s DRP account immediately prior to the payment of the relevant dividend; the number of Shares issued or transferred to the Participant under the Rules of the DRP; the cash balance (if any) retained in the Participant s DRP account after deduction of the amount payable for the issue or transfer of the additional Shares; the Participant s total holding of Shares (both participating and nonparticipating) after the issue or transfer of additional Shares; the Price of each Share issued or transferred; the franked amount (if any) of the dividend payment and the franking credit (if any) attached to the dividend; and Dividend Reinvestment Plan Rules 4

5 (i) any other matters required by law to be included or as the Board determines. 9. Variation or termination of participation 9.1 Subject to clause 13, a Participant may at any time give written notice to DuluxGroup s Share Registrar on the prescribed Variation/Termination Notice: (a) (b) increasing or decreasing the number of Shares participating in the DRP; or terminating participation in the DRP. 9.2 The alteration or termination takes effect on the receipt by DuluxGroup s Share Registrar of a properly completed Variation/Termination Notice in accordance with clause If a Participant increases the level of participation in the DRP to full participation, all of the Participant s Shares as at the date of the Variation/Termination Notice and all Shares subsequently acquired by the Participant (including Shares transferred or issued under the DRP) will participate in the DRP. 9.4 If a Participant increases or decreases the level of participation in the DRP to below full participation, only that number of Shares specified in the Variation/Termination Notice will participate in the DRP and no Shares subsequently acquired by the Participant (including Shares transferred or issued under the DRP) will participate in the DRP. If at the relevant date, the number of Shares held by the Participant is less than the number specified in the notice, the DRP applies to the lesser amount. 9.5 If a Participant dies, participation in the DRP will be terminated upon receipt by DuluxGroup of written notice of the death. If a Participant is declared bankrupt or is wound up, participation in the DRP will be terminated upon receipt by DuluxGroup of a notification of bankruptcy or winding up from the Participant or the Participant s trustee in bankruptcy or liquidator, as the case may be. The death, bankruptcy or winding up of one or more joint holders will not automatically terminate participation, provided the remaining holder(s) are eligible to remain Participants(s). 9.6 Upon termination of participation for whatever reason, DuluxGroup will forward to the Participant or the Participant s legal representative a statement of the Participant s DRP account made out to the date of termination. 9.7 Upon termination of participation for whatever reason, including deemed termination of participation under clause 10.3, a Participant will be taken to have directed DuluxGroup to donate the cash balance (if any) in the Participant s DRP account as at the date of termination on behalf of the Participant to a registered charity nominated by the Board from time to time. Participants will not be issued with a receipt in connection with such a donation. Dividend Reinvestment Plan Rules 5

6 10. Reduction or termination of participation where no notice is given 10.1 Where all of a Participant s Shares are subject to the DRP and the Participant disposes of part of those Shares then, unless the Participant advises DuluxGroup otherwise, the remaining Shares held by the Participant will continue to participate in the DRP Where some of a Participant s Shares are subject to the DRP and the Participant disposes of part of that shareholding, then unless the Participant advises DuluxGroup otherwise, the Shares disposed of will be deemed to be Shares not participating in the DRP. If the number of Shares disposed of is more than the number of the Participant s Shares not participating in the DRP, the disposal will be deemed to include all the Participant s shareholding not participating in the DRP, and the balance (if any) will be attributed to Shares participating in the DRP Where a Participant disposes of all Shares without giving DuluxGroup notice of termination of participation, the Participant will be deemed to have terminated participation in the DRP with respect to the shareholding on the date DuluxGroup registered a transfer or instrument of disposal of the Participant s holding. 11. Variation, suspension, recommencement and termination of the DRP 11.1 The DRP may be varied, suspended, recommenced or terminated by the Board at any time. The variation, suspension, recommencement or termination will take effect on the date specified by the Board. The Board may give written notice of any such variation, suspension, recommencement or termination as it considers appropriate. A variation, suspension, recommencement or termination of the DRP will not be invalidated by the accidental omission to give notice of the variation, suspension, recommencement or termination to a Shareholder and will not give rise to any liability on the part of, or right or action against, the Board or DuluxGroup. In the event of termination, DuluxGroup will forward to each Participant a statement of the Participant s DRP account as at the date of termination A Participant continues to participate in the DRP following any variation, suspension or recommencement of the DRP and continues to participate under these Rules in their varied form unless DuluxGroup is notified in writing to the contrary by the Participant If the DRP is suspended, an election as to participation in the DRP will also be suspended and all Shares are deemed to be non-participating Shares for the purpose of any dividend paid while the DRP is suspended Any suspension under clause 11.3 will continue until such time as the Board resolves to recommence or terminate the DRP The DRP may be reinstated following a suspension in accordance with these Rules by notification on DuluxGroup s website and by notice to ASX. Upon reinstatement of the DRP, all prior elections will be reinstated and will Dividend Reinvestment Plan Rules 6

7 continue to apply until a new valid notice is lodged, unless the Board determines otherwise. 12. Stock Exchange Listing DuluxGroup will apply from time to time (as new Shares are issued under the DRP) for the new Shares issued under the DRP to be listed for quotation on ASX and on any other stock exchange or exchanges as may from time to time have accepted Shares for listing. 13. Applications and notices 13.1 Applications and notices to DuluxGroup must be in the form prescribed by DuluxGroup, if any, from time to time. DuluxGroup may, from time to time, establish an online application process for Shareholders to participate in the DRP either through the DuluxGroup s website or that of an authorised third party. Any application or notice lodged electronically must comply with the applicable terms and conditions of the electronic lodgement facility The applications and notices will be effective for a particular dividend payment and all subsequent dividend payments upon receipt by DuluxGroup s Share Registrar subject to: (a) these Rules; (b) in the case of applications, acceptance by DuluxGroup; and (c) receipt by DuluxGroup before 5.00pm (Melbourne time) on the Business Day after the relevant Record Date (or such other date determined by the Board from time to time) for determining entitlements to dividends Applications or notices received after 5.00pm (Melbourne time) on the Business Day after a particular Record Date (or such other date determined by the Board from time to time) will not be effective in respect of that dividend payment but will be effective in respect of subsequent dividend payments Except to the extent that these Rules expressly provide otherwise, DuluxGroup may provide notice under these Rules in any manner (including, but not limited to, by public announcement, advertisements in any newspapers circulating generally in Australia, notice on DuluxGroup s website, announcement to ASX or mailed written notices) which the Board considers appropriate to bring the matter or event for which notice is required under these Rules to the notice of the Participants or Shareholders, as the case may be, having regard to the nature of the event for which notice is being given. The accidental omission by DuluxGroup to give any notice under these Rules to any Shareholder, ASX or any other person will not invalidate any act, matter or thing. 14. General 14.1 Any dividend payable on Shares which a Participant has nominated as participating in the DRP and which dividend DuluxGroup is entitled to retain, in whole or part, as a result of a charge, lien or similar right in favour of Dividend Reinvestment Plan Rules 7

8 DuluxGroup in accordance with the Constitution of DuluxGroup or otherwise, will not be available for the purpose of participating in the DRP These Rules will be binding upon all Shareholders The Board may implement and administer the DRP in the manner the Board thinks fit. Without prejudice to the general powers of the Board under these Rules, the Board may settle in the manner as the Board thinks fit any difficulty, anomaly or dispute which may arise in connection with, or by reason of, the operation of the DRP, whether generally or in relation to any Shareholder or Participant or shareholding account or any Share or Shares and the determination of the Board will be conclusive and binding on all Shareholders and other persons to whom the determination relates The Board may delegate to any one or more persons, for such period and on such conditions as they may determine, the exercise of any of its powers, functions or discretions arising under the DRP Neither DuluxGroup nor any officer of DuluxGroup will be liable or responsible to any Participant for any loss or alleged loss or disadvantage suffered or incurred by a Participant as a result, directly or indirectly, of the establishment or operation of the DRP or participation or non-participation in the DRP or in relation to any advice given with respect to participation in the DRP DuluxGroup s records are conclusive evidence of the matter recorded in them The laws of Victoria govern these terms Despite anything else in these Rules, the ASX Listing Rules prevail to the extent of any inconsistency with these Rules. Dividend Reinvestment Plan Rules 8